up to date New Orleans recs - Page 3

The antique stores are great, IMHO. There are some awesome and unique places, like Cohen and Sons, for antique weapons and currency, and some great antique/vintage watch and clock shops. The real benefit to shopping in New Orleans is in old stuff that you can't get everywhere. NO can't ever compete with NYC for new and shiny, but nobody does old and patinated like the Crescent City.

I was once at Couronne Jewelry and Watches looking at a gorgeous NOS Zenith El Primero, talking to the owner about how his dad got piles of them when Zenith TV and Zenith watches were under the same corporate umbrella. After we'd been talking awhile, he showed me drawings of a watch he was planning to produce himself. It was cool to see the press releases and photos for New Orleans Watch Co when he had them produced. That sort of thing happens there, and it's cool.

One other gem in New Orleans that's not to be missed is Meyer the Hatter. It's just outside the Quarter, but it's a must-visit. Sam Meyer has been selling hats since he got back from WW2, and has designed at least one model by Stetson. They're on their third or fourth generation of Meyers running the store, and apparently get an impressive amount of celebrity traffic. I wrote a blog post about my visit there: http://www.completesoutherngentleman.com/stetson-gulfport-hat-by-meyer-the-hatter-new-orleans/

What is the custom here? My wife is thinking about buying an antique chandelier. Do we bargain hard? Are any shops better than others for that sort of thing? Is the Quarter more marked up because of the tourists?

What is the custom here? My wife is thinking about buying an antique chandelier. Do we bargain hard? Are any shops better than others for that sort of thing? Is the Quarter more marked up because of the tourists?

My philosophy is to bargain for anything except McDonald's or Apple in NO. The worst they can say is that they're sticking to the sticker price. At least ask what the best they can do is, then discuss.

My wife loves Renaissance Interiors in Metairie. It's a consignment furniture store ( http://www.yourrenaissance.com/index.html ). It's not glamorous, but they do have some cool pieces with much lower overhead than in the Quarter. On the other hand, most of the truly beautiful stuff is in the French Quarter, even if the rent is higher.

Went to Muriel's and it was fine for what it was but maybe slightly too pricey. Bellocq had good cocktails. Spitfire coffee has been solid although they use a lot of Ritual which is a crappy overrated roaster.

Nola tonight.

Bought some Handy Rye and Toulose Red Absinthe. Zoo went over well with the little dude.